Armed with sunscreen, science and a surprising dose of star power, Grace Jeffries, Sharon Kung, Camilla Lee, Ishani Rao and Megan Wong — participants in the Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) program — spent Tuesday morning educating 54 sixth-graders about the importance of sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

“We wanted to address the misconception that not everyone can get skin cancer,” said Lee, one of the students leading the initiative. 

Lee, who helped bring the SPOTS program to Quinnipiac, emphasized its mission: to promote early education on sun protection while increasing awareness of how skin cancer presents across all skin tones. The free, interactive program is designed to empower children, teens and families with tools and knowledge for lifelong sun-smart habits. Before visiting Spring Glen, the team had already brought their message to Hamden Middle School and Saint Martin de Porres Academy in New Haven.

The sixth-graders at Spring Glen didn’t just hear a lecture — they got a hands-on experience. The presentation featured striking images of celebrities such as Bob Marley and Khloé Kardashian, who have faced skin cancer themselves.

Students also had a chance to look into a UV camera-equipped skin analyzer, which can reveal hidden sun damage not visible to the naked eye. At the end of the session, they received sun safety bookmarks, pamphlets and mini bottles of sunscreen to take home.

“It’s super important to discuss skin safety, especially at this age,” Lee said. “Kids don’t realize that damage from childhood sun exposure can lead to problems much later in life. Even on blistering sunburn as a child can double your risk of melanoma.”

Sixth-grade teacher Adrianne Quinn agreed.

“The timing couldn’t have been better,” she said. “Summer is coming. These kids are 12, going through puberty and spending more time outdoors with their friends. I loved that the Quinnipiac students used celebrities—it made the lesson more relatable and memorable.”

And it worked. Sixth-grader Yizhar Yakir summed up the takeaways: “We need to wear sunglasses, sunscreen and hats. The sun can be very dangerous,” he said.